Manila: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized 112,750 unregistered vape products worth more than PHP95.7 million at the Port of Manila. BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio announced that these items were confiscated during separate inspections on March 18, as detailed in a news release on Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the first shipment was flagged following derogatory information received by the BOC's Enforcement Group, which led to the issuance of a Pre-Lodgement Control Order (PLCO) requested by Deputy Commissioner Teddy Raval. This order resulted in the inspection of two 40-foot-high cube containers. The examination revealed 233 cartons containing 46,600 assorted flavored vape products valued at PHP23.3 million, with duties and taxes amounting to PHP30.2 million.

Port of Manila District Collector Alexander Gerard Alviar is expected to issue a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the shipments for violating Section 1113 in relation to Section 1400 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Republic Act (RA) 11900, known as the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.

Furthermore, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service - Port of Manila team requested a PLCO for three additional shipments suspected of containing unmanifested goods. Upon physical examination, customs examiners found 66,150 undeclared vape products concealed among boxes of insulated cups. These products have an estimated value of PHP72.4 million and duties and taxes worth PHP39.3 million.

Raval noted that the shipments arrived from China and were declared as "plastic insulation." The BOC, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Philippine National Police, continues to enforce RA 11900 to ensure compliance with product standards and prevent minors from accessing vape products.